SAN DIEGO, CA (December 20, 2013) -- San Diego County Credit Union® (SDCCU®), San Diego’s largest locally-owned financial institution, is applauding the selection of the Utah State Aggies and Northern Illinois Huskies as the two college football teams set to play in the ninth annual San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.
“We are looking forward to the game with great anticipation because it showcases two conference division champions,” said Teresa Halleck, SDCCU President & CEO. “These two teams had tremendous seasons and will surely put on quite a show at Qualcomm Stadium.”
The game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26 at Qualcomm® Stadium in San Diego. The bowl game matches division winners from the Mountain West Conference and the Mid-American Conference.
The San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl is the only college football bowl game to have a credit union as a title sponsor. SDCCU has served as the title sponsor of the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl since the bowl game’s inception in 2005.
“SDCCU’s support of this bowl game benefits the entire credit union industry through increased awareness,” said Halleck. “Credit union customers across the country also are reminded that credit unions contribute to our lives and communities in tangible ways.”
According to the San Diego Bowl Game Association, the non-profit entity that produces the game, the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl generates millions of dollars into the San Diego economy during a week when the region’s tourism industry is at one of its slowest times of the year. The mission of the Association is to generate tourism, exposure, economic benefit and civic pride for San Diego and its citizens by producing the nation’s most exciting bowl games and festival of activities. Officials report that the previous eight San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl games added a combined $75.7 million of revenue into the local economy.
Utah State (8-5, 7-1) will play in its third straight bowl game, a school record. After starting the season with a 3-4 mark, the Aggies won its final five games of the regular season to win the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference. The Aggies’ defense, ranked among the top 25 in the nation, is lead by walk-on inside linebackers Jake Doughty and Zach Vigil, along with cornerback Nevin Lawson, who had four interceptions on the season.
Northern Illinois University (12-1, 8-0), ranked No. 23 (USA Today Coaches’ Poll) and No. 24 (Associated Press), will play in a MAC record sixth-straight bowl game with a school-record 12 consecutive victories behind dynamic dual-threat Heisman Trophy nominee Jordan Lynch. Lynch, who has run for an NCAA quarterback record 1,881 yards and passed for 2,676 yards while rushing for 22 scores and passing for 23, leads the most prolific offenses in NIU history and the nation’s fifth-ranked offense.
The game will be broadcasted live before a nationwide audience on ESPN-TV and ESPN-Radio.
Tickets for the 2013 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3500, or by visiting sdccu.com/community. Tickets also can be purchased through the bowl’s ticket office at Qualcomm Stadium, Window B, or by calling (619) 285-5039.
SDCCU’s title sponsorship of the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl is one of many ways that SDCCU gives back to the community. As a not-for-profit organization rooted in helping others, SDCCU is a long-time supporter of more than 75 different local non-profit organizations, including Rady Children’s Hospital, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, San Diego Blood Bank and Scripps Health Foundation, to name a few. At the local level, branches are actively involved in Chambers of Commerce and support charitable organizations and events through sponsorships and active volunteerism.
One dollar of every admission ticket sold to the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl goes directly to the San Diego chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation®, allowing the charity to grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.
San Diego County Credit Union is San Diego’s largest locally-owned financial institution serving San Diego, Riverside and Orange counties. SDCCU has assets of $6.4 billion, more than 250,000 customers, more than 30 convenient branch locations and 30,000 surcharge-FREE ATMs. From FREE Checking with eStatements and SDCCU Mobile Deposit, to home and auto loans, Visa credit cards, money market accounts and business banking services, including commercial real estate loans. SDCCU provides breakthrough banking products that meet the demands of today’s lifestyle and delivers banking services that save customers money. Federally insured by NCUA and is an equal housing lender. For more information, visit www.sdccu.com.